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Corneal Disease·Balboa Island, Orange County

LASIK Complications Treatment in Balboa Island, California

Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexander Bonakdar, O.D. · Updated February 2026

LASIK complications affect approximately 1-5% of patients and include halos and glare at night, corneal ectasia (progressive weakening), regression of correction, chronic dry eye, undercorrection or overcorrection, and higher-order aberrations. Dr. Bonakdar has managed post-LASIK patients since LASIK became available in the 1990s and specializes in non-surgical solutions including scleral lenses and scleral ortho-K.

Balboa Island patients experiencing lasik complications benefit from our 35+ years of diagnostic experience and advanced imaging capabilities, ensuring accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.

Dr. Bonakdar on LASIK Complications

Direct Answers from Dr. Bonakdar

Dr. Alexander Bonakdar at EyeCare Center of Orange County provides expert lasik complications diagnosis and treatment for patients in Balboa Island and throughout Orange County. With over 35 years of clinical experience and advanced diagnostic technology, each patient receives a personalized treatment plan based on their specific condition severity and lifestyle needs.

What are the most common LASIK complications?

The most common LASIK complications are dry eye, halos and glare at night, under-correction requiring glasses, over-correction, and higher-order aberrations causing ghosting or double vision. Less common but serious complications include ectasia, where the cornea progressively weakens after surgery.

Can LASIK complications be treated without more surgery?

Many LASIK complications can be treated without additional surgery. Scleral contact lenses correct halos, glare, and irregular astigmatism caused by LASIK. IPL therapy addresses LASIK-induced dry eye. Scleral ortho-K can reduce residual refractive error overnight. Non-surgical options are often safer and more predictable than enhancement surgery.

How long do LASIK complications last?

Some LASIK side effects like initial dryness and halos improve within 3 to 6 months as the cornea heals. However, complications involving higher-order aberrations, ectasia, or severe dry eye from nerve damage can persist indefinitely without treatment. The good news is that effective non-surgical treatments exist for most complications.

What is LASIK ectasia?

LASIK ectasia is a condition where the cornea progressively weakens and bulges after LASIK surgery, similar to keratoconus. It occurs when too much corneal tissue was removed or the patient had a predisposition. It can be detected early with regular monitoring and treated with corneal cross-linking to halt progression.

What are the symptoms of LASIK Complications?

Balboa Island residents experiencing any combination of the following symptoms should schedule a comprehensive evaluation:

  • Halos, glare, or starbursts around lights at night
  • Vision regression — glasses needed again after LASIK
  • Chronic dry eye that began after LASIK
  • Fluctuating vision throughout the day
  • Visual disturbances in low light or while driving at night
  • Undercorrection — vision not as good as expected

What happens if lasik complications is not treated?

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, lasik complications can lead to:

  • Permanent halos and glare at night affecting driving safety
  • Severe chronic dry eye from LASIK-induced nerve damage
  • Progressive ectasia (corneal bulging) requiring transplant if unmanaged
  • Continued regression of vision correction requiring stronger glasses
  • Higher-order aberrations causing ghosting and double vision
  • Unnecessary suffering from problems that have effective non-surgical solutions

How is LASIK Complications treated?

Treatment for Balboa Island patients is tailored to the specific type and severity of their condition. Options available at our practice include:

Scleral Contact Lens Fitting
Scleral Ortho-K for Residual Refractive Error
Premium Specialty RGP Lenses
Advanced Dry Eye Management (IPL, LipiFlow)
Corneal Ectasia Monitoring & Co-management
Wavefront Higher-Order Aberration Analysis

Standard Care vs. Specialized Treatment for LASIK Complications

AspectStandard ApproachSpecialized Treatment
Night VisionHalos and glare accepted as permanentScleral lenses neutralize higher-order aberrations
Dry EyeDrops manage but don't resolve symptomsIPL and scleral lens fluid reservoir address root cause
EctasiaProgressive corneal weakeningCross-linking co-management halts progression
ApproachAdditional surgery (enhancement)Non-surgical correction with fully reversible options
SafetyEnhancement carries same surgical risksScleral lenses carry no surgical risk

LASIK Complications FAQs for Balboa Island Patients

Common questions from Balboa Island patients about our eye care services

At EyeCare Center of Orange County, we diagnose lasik complications using advanced diagnostic equipment including corneal topography, OCT imaging, and comprehensive eye examinations. Balboa Island patients receive the same comprehensive diagnostic technology used at major academic eye centers, right here in Orange County.
We offer comprehensive treatment options for lasik complications including specialty contact lenses, medical therapy, and advanced procedures. Dr. Bonakdar personalizes each Balboa Island patient's treatment plan based on condition severity, lifestyle demands, and long-term visual goals.
Call (714) 558-1182 or book online. Initial consultations take 60-90 minutes and include comprehensive testing. Our centrally located Orange County practice is easily accessible from Balboa Island, with appointment times designed to fit your schedule.
Yes, we accept most major vision and medical insurance plans including VSP, EyeMed, Medicare, and Medi-Cal for lasik complications diagnosis and treatment. We verify your coverage and discuss costs before any procedures.
We treat LASIK complications including ectasia, regression, halos and glare, severe dry eye, and over- or under-correction for Balboa Island patients. Our approach is non-surgical—using scleral lenses, scleral ortho-K, and medical therapy to restore what surgery altered, without additional surgical risk.
It is almost never too late. Patients come to us 5, 10, even 20 years after LASIK still struggling with vision that never felt right. Whether your concern is halos, dry eye, progressive regression, or ectasia, we have non-surgical tools—especially scleral lenses—that were not available when many patients first had surgery. Schedule a consultation to understand your specific options.

Have more questions? Call us at (714) 558-1182

LASIK Complications Care for Balboa Island Residents

Balboa Island residents experiencing LASIK complications have more non-surgical options than most are told by their original surgeon. Scleral contact lenses achieve 20/20 or better for the majority of post-LASIK patients with irregular corneas. Scleral ortho-K can address residual refractive error overnight. Advanced dry eye treatments target the gland damage that LASIK can cause. We specialize in making the most of your current corneal status — without additional surgical risk.

About Balboa Island

Charming island community with village atmosphere and famous frozen bananas

Population: 3,000+

Affluent residentsBeach loversTouristsBoaters

Languages Spoken in Balboa Island

Our practice serves the diverse Balboa Island community. We provide care to patients who speak:

EnglishSpanish

Eye Health Priorities for Balboa Island

  • Comprehensive eye examinations
  • Contact lens fittings
  • Glasses and eyewear
  • Eye disease treatment
  • Emergency eye care

Conveniently Located Near Balboa Island Landmarks

Our Orange County practice is easily accessible for Balboa Island patients living near:

Balboa Island Ferry
Marine Avenue
Dad's Donuts
Balboa Fun Zone
Balboa Island Boardwalk

Getting to Our Office from Balboa Island

Drive Time
20 min
Primary Route
5 Freeway
Distance
9.8 mi

Balboa Island patients typically reach our Santa Ana office via the 5 Freeway in approximately 20 minutes. Free on-site parking is available in our building.

801 N Tustin Ave, Ste 404, Santa Ana, CA 92705 — Get Directions

Balboa Island Neighborhoods We Serve

  • Little Island
  • Big Island
  • Collins Island

Zip codes: 92662

Why Balboa Island Patients Choose EyeCare Center for LASIK Complications

Corneal Specialty Practice

Dr. Bonakdar has 35+ years treating corneal conditions including lasik complications, with advanced slit lamp and topography diagnostics.

Scleral Lens Expertise

Custom scleral and specialty contact lens fittings for irregular corneas, dry eye, and post-surgical rehabilitation.

Same-Day Urgent Visits

Balboa Island patients with acute corneal symptoms can often be seen the same day for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Coordinated Surgical Care

When corneal surgery is needed, we coordinate with top corneal surgeons and manage your complete pre- and post-operative care.

Dr. Alexander Bonakdar - Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Your LASIK Complications Specialist in Balboa Island

Dr. Alexander Bonakdar is a board-certified ophthalmologist with over 35 years of experience treating lasik complications and complex eye conditions. Trained at the #1-ranked Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, he has helped over 10,000 patients achieve and maintain clear vision.

35+ Years10,000+ PatientsBascom Palmer
Learn more about Dr. Bonakdar →

Patient Stories from Balboa Island

See why your neighbors in Balboa Island trust us with their vision.

Comprehensive Exam

"Not a fan of getting my eyes checked but the receptionist and Dr. were very nice and eased my anxiety."

emily garcia
Santa Ana, CA

Comprehensive Exam

"I came back for my yearly visit and had a great experience as always."

Eduardo arias
Santa Ana, CA

Schedule Your LASIK Complications Consultation

Expert diagnosis and treatment for Balboa Island and Orange County residents.

Call (714) 558-1182